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Wright pushing big names in voting

Wright pushing big names in All-Star voting

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By Marty Noble
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MLB.com |

Scott Rolen is a veteran; so, too, are Aramis Ramirez and Troy Glaus. Chipper Jones is a former MVP and the focal point of a team that has a standing reservation in the postseason. The four of them rank among the top five in the balloting for National League All-Star third baseman. And, probably one of the four will be in the starting lineup Tony LaRussa sends to the plate in Detroit on July 12.

David Wright probably won't catch them, not all of them -- not this year. Or, well, maybe.

But be assured of this: Wright will be in the hunt, and not only this year. The Mets' second-year third baseman is an All-Star in the making. Rolen, Glaus, Chipper and Ramirez better get their All-Star appearances while they can.

Wright stands fifth in the third base balloting. But the large New York market already has recognized how special he is and embraced him. His popularity in the stands is comparable to his popularity in the clubhouse. It's a matter of time until New York automatically thinks of itself as the city of third basemen -- A-Rod and, as Cliff Floyd calls his young teammate, D-Wright. It may stand for "do right."

Wright is one of six Mets among the leading candidates for a start in Detroit. Mike Piazza is in a familiar position, leading National League catchers in votes with 760,342, 256,457 more than runner-up Paul Lo Duca of the Marlins. Should Piazza finish first, he will be assured of his 12th All-Star Game.

And Carlos Beltran still leads National League outfielders, his lead over runner-up Jim Edmonds now at 108,715 votes. The Mets' center fielder stands seven places ahead of Floyd in the results released Tuesday. Floyd almost certainly is the team's most valuable player through the Mets' first 63 games.

Doug Mientkiewicz, a favorite of Mets fans because of his defense and self-deprecating humor, is third among first basemen. Kaz Matsui and Jose Reyes, though, dropped out of the top five second basemen and shortstops, respectively.

Marty Noble is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.